Governor Encourages Keene State Graduates To Stay And Work In New Hampshire

Governor Maggie Hassan is offering congratulations to new graduates of Keene State College – and encouraging them to stay in the state after college.

Keene State held commencement ceremonies Saturday on the Fiske Quad. In her address, Hassan told the graduates they had a lot to offer the state where they’d studied – and the state had much to offer them.

“From emerging sectors like clean energy, biotech and advanced manufacturing, to our strong tourism and natural recreation industries, New Hampshire has opportunities for any path you may choose,” Hassan said. “The Granite State has so much to offer you at each step along your way, from our high quality of life to our beautiful natural resources and outdoor recreation, to our truly vibrant cultural communities.”

Hassan is one of a number of state officials who have raised concerns that too many students are leaving New Hampshire after graduation instead of finding jobs in-state.

The community at Keene State came under criticism during the academic year, after police arrested a number of students in connection with the riots over Pumpkin Festival weekend last fall. College president Ann Huot lauded the student body’s response to the controversy in her remarks to the class of 2015.

“In a way,“ Huot said, “you have modeled for the entire Keene community what can happen when you stand up, accept responsibility, and work together to make change.”

The commencement ceremonies also included remarks by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and president of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England.

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The president of Keene State College is participating in a White House summit exploring how to increase college completion, particularly for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students.

Anne Huot will join President Barack Obama and others Thursday at the White House College Opportunity Summit. The conference brings together colleges and universities, business leaders, nonprofit groups and others working to support more opportunities for students.

"This is an emotional issue," said Jessica White, who started the Facebook Page "Keene Pumpkin Festival Move it or Lose it" and moderated a forum Thursday night focused on the events of that weekend. "We were hurt. We were embarrassed. Embarrassed is a big one."

On Oct. 18 and 19, more than 2,000 college-aged adults overwhelmed police, started street fires, threw full liquor bottles at emergency officials tending to the injured, toppled light poles and tipped cars for more than eight hours.

Governor Maggie Hassan says a company may have staged the massive house parties that broke out into riots in Keene Saturday and early Sunday morning.

After meeting with officials from the city and Keene State College Sunday, Hassan explained the parties were broadcast on social media.

"As far as we can tell," Hassan says, "there are companies now that advertise parties around certain events often near college campuses, attract people there, and the people are encouraged to do things that are then videotaped and put on social media."

Keene State College president Anne Huot says her focus since starting in the position last summer has been on listening – hearing what’s been on the minds of students, faculty and staff, business and community leaders and public officials.

Anne Huot joins All Things Considered host Brady Carlson to talk about some of what she’s heard and what she hopes to bring to Keene State in the coming years.